Author: anarchyinsk

Comics Reviews: Superman 343, Action 503, DC Comics Presents 17

Superman 343 coverSuperman #343 – “The Last Days of Metropolis” – Denny O’Neil/Curt Swan/Frank Chiaramonte

This one’s kinda goofy, but it seems familiar to me. I may have had it as a kid, or maybe it just reminds me of the typical Silver Age weirdness. This one starts in Ancient Rome, specifically in Pompeii, where a sorcerer named Moximus has conjured a vision in his brazier of Superman in the future. Moximus says Superman heralds destruction, then warns his fellow citizens about a more immediate threat … Mount Vesuvius, which is about to spew lava all over their town. Continue reading “Comics Reviews: Superman 343, Action 503, DC Comics Presents 17”

Comics Reviews: Batman 319, Brave & the Bold 158, Warlord 29

Batman 319 coverBatman #319 – “Never Give Up the Ghost” – Len Wein/Irv Novick/Bob Smith

This one starts with Gentleman Ghost and a couple of henchmen stealing industrial diamonds from a factory. Naturally, Batman shows up to pound them and does pretty well until Gentleman Ghost uses a hoist hook to snag Batman’s cape, holding him helpless above the floor. Ghost and his thugs take off, but Batman manages to snag the satchel full of diamonds with his Batarang and invites Ghost to try and retrieve it. Ghost isn’t stupid enough to approach Batman (who has almost freed himself from the hook), but vows he’ll get the diamonds sooner or later. By the time Batman does get free, Ghost is long gone. Continue reading “Comics Reviews: Batman 319, Brave & the Bold 158, Warlord 29”

Lost Girl Reviews: Season 5, Episode 16

Lost GirlEpisode 16: Rise

Last episode, Bo pretended to switch sides and join her father (Hades) in his plan to destroy the world. Hades as understandably skeptical of her sudden heel turn, so he asked her to demonstrate her loyalty by killing her friends. She lured everyone to her place and lit it on fire with them inside, which seemed to convince her father that she was sincere in her newfound villainy. Continue reading “Lost Girl Reviews: Season 5, Episode 16”

1980 Preview

chess apeWell, that’s 1979 down … bring on 1980! Yup, it’s time for my semi-annual preview of what’s to come on the blog over the next six months. I’ll be reviewing pretty much the same comics I did for the first half of the year, with a notable addition near the end. As you can see, Gulliver is concentrating on his chess game; he’s upset that there aren’t more apes in the comics I’ve been reviewing. For the rest of you, read on to get the lowdown on what’s coming up over the next six months. Continue reading “1980 Preview”

Flash 280, Wonder Woman 262, Green Lantern 123

Flash 280 coverFlash #280 – “The Wrong Man” – Cary Bates/Don Heck/Frank Chiaramonte

This story starts not long after last issue, with Flash zipping all over the city looking for Clive Yorkin, the man he believes responsible for the death of his wife. Flash’s friend Melanie is tracking Yorkin too, and having better luck since her psychic abilities point her in the right direction. Flash finds some vigilantes in the park, about to blow away a shadowy figure. Flash saves their target and reveals that it wasn’t Yorkin, just some homeless guy. The vigilantes feel like idiots and head home. Continue reading “Flash 280, Wonder Woman 262, Green Lantern 123”

Lost Girl Reviews: Season 5, Episode 15

Lost GirlEpisode 15: Let Them Burn

Last episode ended with Vex getting his throat slit by Hades to send a message; this one starts with Bo’s house on fire. Dyson, Kenzi, Lauren, and Mark rush in, looking for Bo, but she’s nowhere to be found. Kenzi notices a burnt-out microwave oven (and what looks like Tamsin’s blanket hanging above it) and announces that Hades is responsible for the fire, but we see Bo standing outside with a gas can in her hand. Continue reading “Lost Girl Reviews: Season 5, Episode 15”

Comics Reviews: JLA 173, Superboy & the Legion 258, Jonah Hex 31

JLA 173 coverJustice League of America #173 – “Testing of a Hero” – Gerry Conway/Dick Dillin/Frank McLaughlin

This one starts with some JLA members (Superman, Zatanna, Flash, Green Lantern, and Green Arrow) observing someone from the roof of a building … someone they’re considering for League membership. Of course, we already know who the mystery candidate is from the cover—Black Lightning. The Leaguers watch as Lightning takes down some guys robbing a pawnshop; he deflects bullets with his electrical force-field, zaps a couple of the thieves with a power-packed punch, and scares the last crook so much that he faints before Lightning can touch him. Continue reading “Comics Reviews: JLA 173, Superboy & the Legion 258, Jonah Hex 31”

Superman 342, Action 502, DC Comics Presents 16

Superman 342 coverSuperman #342 – “Hero Under Glass” – Len Wein/Curt Swan/Frank Chiaramonte

This one starts with Superman getting a call from Jenet Klyburn at STAR Labs. It seems STAR were trying to solve the problem of industrial pollution, so they seeded the sky over the industrial area with an experimental chemical that was supposed to eliminate pollutants. Unfortunately, it did just the opposite, combining with the pollution to form a noxious black cloud that’s now raining filth on the town. Klyburn says what happened is impossible according to STAR’s simulations, so Superman goes to check it out. Continue reading “Superman 342, Action 502, DC Comics Presents 16”

Lost Girl Reviews: Season 5, Episode 14

Lost GirlEpisode 14: Follow the Yellow Trick Road

Last episode ended with a bang, as Bo found the bodies of her mother and Trick, murdered by her father, Hades. When Dyson found her, Bo was in some sort of catatonic state. This episode starts with her waking up at home … except it’s not quite how she remembers it. Everything is in black and white except Bo’s dress, a red-checked number. Her hair is also in pigtails. That, combined with the episode’s title, makes me think this is going to be a Wizard of Oz homage, though Bo likens it to a rerun of Lucy. Continue reading “Lost Girl Reviews: Season 5, Episode 14”